Massaging machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for moving a massaging roller lineally along a path beneath a sheet of material which covers an elongated slot in a table or cabinet top, which table or cabinet is usually covered with upholstery material, and overlies a sheet of material which may be urged upwardly against the upholstering material and the spinal area of the person lying on the table to be massaged, when the machine is in operation. The roller is moved substantially the length of the spine, in a timed sequence and under controlled resilient pressure, so as to relax the muscles and relieve tension of the nerves of the spinal area. Provision is made for moving the roller, which is preferably faced with a cushioning material, by means of a motor which drives an endless chain, with the travel of the roller preferably being the length of the adult spine. The roller is mounted to move back and forth in timed relation, with the upward pressure on the roller being regulated to give the most desirable effect on the back muscles and on the spine.

ilnited tates Patent Trout May 28, 1974 i 1 MASSAGING MACHINE along a path beneath a sheet of material which covers [76] Inventor: Horace L Trout, Rt 4, BOX 44 an elongated slot in a table or cabinet top, which table B Owi e Tex 76230 or cabinet is usually covered with upholstery material,

and overlies a sheet of material which may be Urged Filed! 1972 upwardly against the upholstering material and the r spinal area of the person lying on the table to be mas- Appl' 300288 saged, when the machine is in operation. The roller is moved substantially the length of the spine, in a timed {52] US. Cl. 128/57 sequence and under controlled resilient pressure, so as {51] Int. Cl A6lh 15/00 to relax the muscles and relieve tension of the nerves [58] Field of Search 128/57, 58, 33 of the spinal area, Provision is made for moving the roller, which is preferably faced with a cushioning ma- [56] References Cited terial, by means of a motor which drives an endless UNITED STATES PATENTS chain, with the travel of the roller preferably being the 2,884,923 5/1959 Buffalow 128/57 length of the adult Spine- The roller is mounted to 3,322,116 5/1967 Murphy et a1. 1 128/33 move back and forth in timed relation, With the P- 3,4s0,007 11/1969 Kilcup .1 128/58 Ward P" the roller being regulated to give the Primary Examinerl ,awrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, or FirmWayland D. Keith 57 ABSTRACT A machine for moving a massaging roller lineally most desirable effect on the back muscles and on the spine.

2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures AVlVAVLVAZLVLVL? Q --3 f 5 24- E //////9 1 l PATENTEMY 28 1914 $812,846

sum 1 or a FIG. I

MASSAGING MACHINE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in massage machines and more particularly to a massage machine to produce timed, synchronized massaging action on the spinal area of a person resting on a table or cabinet into which the machine is built. A slot, which is covered by a sheet of material, is formed in the top of the table longitudinally thereof and is of a length and width to accomodate the spinal area, from the head to the buttocks, of an adult recumbent thereon. A roller, which is covered with resilient material, such as relatively firm foam rubber or plastic, is properly positioned to operate within the slot in the top of the cabinet and is powered by a motor and an endless chain to move back and forth lineally of the slot, with the roller being urged upwardly in controlled relation so a person recumbent on the table, over the slot, receives smooth, undulating, massage with calculated timing and rythmic synchronized movement to effect relaxation of the entire spinal area. The present machine is designed to produce relaxation and to ease tensions and to do so without irregular movements, without noise and without harsh, irrirating action.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a massage and exercise machine which is of therapeutic value to the nerves and muscles of the spinal area of the individual being treated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine by which to supply timed, rhythmic massaging action to the spinal area.

A further object of the invention is to provide a motor operated machine in a table-cabinet which gives scientifically timed, rhythmic, gentle, undulating, relaxing massaging action to the spinal area of the individual resting on the table.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a massaging machine which is adaptable for use in doctors offices, in hospitals, health spas, gymnasiums, health centers or in the home.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a massaging machine which acts on the entire spinal area.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a massaging machine which operates smoothly and rhythmically, the massaging element of which changes direction without jolt or other irregular movement and which operates without noise.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a massaging machine which is simple and sturdy in construction, which has a minimum of working parts, and which acts on the entire spinal area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view through a cabinet, having an upholstered top, of the massaging machine, with parts broken away and shortened, and with parts being shown in elevation;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the massaging machine, with parts being broken away and shortened to bring out the details of construction;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the massaging machine, with parts being broken away and shown in section to bring out the details of construction;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary detail view of a tensioning adjustor for the massage roller; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a filler board, broken away and shortened, which may be positioned within the slot in the table top to convert the table top into a uniformly smooth surface when the roller if the massaging machine is not in use, with a portion of the filler board being broken away to show one of the slide bolts which engage complementary holes in the table top.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With more detailed reference to the drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof, in which the numeral 1 designated generally a cabinet, which cabinet has normally closed sides 3 and bottom 4, with a table top 6 hinged to one of the sides 3 by hinges 8, so that the cabinet may be opened to give access to the mechanism therein.

The table top 6 has an elongated slot 10 formed approximately mediate the width thereof, by the roller 12, positioned longitudinally of the table intermediate the length thereof. The slot 10 is of sufficient width to receive a roller 12 therein. A sheet of material 14 covers the slot 10 and is secured to the table top near each end and at a side of the slot 10, in a hammock-like manner, and is urged upwardly against the spinal area of a person lying on the table, as the roller moves back and forth, as will be more fully brought out hereinafter. The sheet of material 14 is further covered by the upholstry material 16, so that the roller 12 at no time is in actual contact with the body of the person receiving the massage or treatment.

A pair of transverse beams 18 extend between the side walls 3 of the cabinet 1 to support the longitudinal trackway 20 and the mechanism of the massaging machine. The trackway 20 is preferably a pressed steel channel with outwardly extending flanges 22, which channel is bolted in place by means of bolts 24 on the transverse beams 18. The longitudinal trackway has a gear reduction motor 26 secured thereto near one end thereof, as by bolts 27, with the shaft 28 of the motor 26 extending upwardly therefrom, which shaft has a sprocket 30 thereon, around which sprocket an endless chain 32 passes, which chain also passes around an idler sprocket 34 which is mounted for rotation about the axis of vertical shaft 36, which shaft is mounted in a shaft support member 38 bolted to trackway 20, near the other end thereof, by means of bolts 40. The endless chain 32 has an upstanding pin 42 thereon which is adapted to extend upwardly through an aperture in pivoted link or tongue 44, which link is pivotally connected, by pin 45, to a carriage designated generally at 46. The carriage 46 has upstanding sides 48. Axle support members 50 are secured to the lower side of the carriage, near each end thereof, by bolts 51, with axles 52 being mounted therein, as will best be seen in FIG. 4. The axles 52 have wheels 54 mounted thereon for rolling within channel trackway 20. The wheels, for purposes of noiselessness and durability, are preferably made from a synthetic plastic, such as Nylon, or of hard rubber or the like. Since the link or tongue 44 is of such length and is pivoted to move along one reach of the chain 32 and pass around sprockets 30 and 34, it moves the carriage 46 along trackway 20, upon rotation of sprocket 30 by motor 26, which will move the carriage 46 along the trackway smoothly and evenly and return the carriage without interruption of movement.

The carriage 46 has a roller mounting member 56 pivotally mounted on a transverse pin or bolt member 58 so as to swing about the axis of pin 58. The roller mounting member 56 has a hollow throat to receive the roller 12 therein, which roller is journaled on a shaft 60 which passes through the roller mounting member 56 and the roller 12, as will best beseen in FIGS. 3 and 4. A spring 62 is biased between the roller mounting member 56 and a crank-like rod member 64, mounted on the lower side of carriage 46, so as to exert upward pressure on the roller mounting member 56, as will best be seen in FIG. 3, so as to urge the roller 12 upwardly against the sheet of material 14 which covers the elongated slot 10. The crank-like member 64 has an outwardly extending lever 66 thereon, which lever may be moved into one position to be engaged by a detent means 68 to hold the maximum desired tension on springs 62. By moving the detent means out of engagement with lever 66, the lever 66 is released to move to a position to release tension on springs 62. Although tension springs have been shown as the tension members, it is to be understood that torsion springs or leaf springs are within the purview and intent of the invention as means resiliently urging the roller upwardly.

Guard members 70 extend outwardly from the carriage 46 and have inturned ends to pass below but not to normally engage out-turned flanges 22 of channel trackway' 20, so as to prevent accidental tipping of the carriage 46, while an individual is moving onto or off of the table in which the mechanism is mounted.

The electric motor 26 has wires 72 leading therefrom and to and through a commercial off, on and timer switch 74, so that the electric motor 26 may be turned on or off as desired, or the switch set to run a desired length of time, as is well known in the art of timer switches.

The roller 12 has an inner core of hard material, such as metal or wood, as indicated at 76, through which shaft 60 passes. A layer of firm sponge rubber or sponge plastic 78 covers the core 76 to the desired thickness to insure proper cushioning between the core 76 and the sheeting material 14 and the upholstering material 16, so the rolling action against the spinal area, thus cushioned by the roller covering and the sheets of material, is very comfortable and relaxing. The roller 12 does not roll directly against the body of the patient, but is separated by the sheet of material 14 and upholstering material 16, which is preferably a water proof plastic, which is sold under various trade names, such as Naugahyde. Further, the roller 12 is preferably covered by a moisture resistant material,

which may be plastic or fabric, as indicated at 80,

which covering may be tubular in form and surround the roller with a drawstring or elastomer band at each end, as indicated at 82, to hold the tubular covering snugly and smoothly over the plastic covering 78. The covering 80 may be removed and replaced, as it becomes worn or soiled. The roller 12 may be renewed entirely, or the foam rubber or foam plastic covering 78 may be removed and replaced, when this is indicated as being desirable. The core 76 may be made of plastic.

In treatment rooms or examining rooms of doctors, osteopaths and chiropractors, it is frequently desirable to have the patient lie on a table with a plane surface, free of slots or openings therein, in which case a removable filler board 84 is provided to fill the slot 10, with pins or slide bolts 86 interengaging complementary holes or latches in the table, so as to hold the roller 12 is retracted position therebelow, to present a uniformly smooth table surface. The filler board can be readily removed by raising the hinged lid 6.

OPERATION With the filler board 84 removed from slot 10, and with a patient recumbent on the upholstering 16 of the table 1, which upholstering over lies the sheet material 14 and the slot 10 in the table top 6, so that the spinal area of the patient is in alignment with the slot 10, in which roller 13 will move back and forth, and with the motor 26 in contact with a source of electricity, the massaging can be initiated.

The motor 26 rotates a sprocket 30 which is secured to the shaft 28 of the motor so as to drive endless chain 32 which surrounds drive sprocket 32 and idler sprocket 34, which idler sprocket 34 is mounted on a shaft 36 near the opposite end of trackway 20, and with the upright pin 42 on chain 32 passing upwardly through an aperture in link or tongue 44, the carriage 46, carrying roller 12, will be moved along the trackway 20 in one direction until the upright pin, pivotally mounted on carriage 42, reaches and rotates about the sprocket 30. The carriage 46 will then move down the trackway 20 as the chain moves the carriage 46 along until the upstanding pin 42, on chain 32, reaches the opposite end of the reach of chain and moves halfway around the sprocket 34 and is pulled along the reach of chain 32 to complete the cycle back to sprocket 30.

As the tongue or link 44 travels the path of one-half the circumference of the sprockets 30 and 34, the travel speed of the carriage becomes slower and the direction thereof is reversed. However the relatively slow speed at which the carriage 46 is moved results in even, gentle, rhythmic action of the roller, with no jerking or irregular movements to cause discomfort to the patient receiving the massage.

it has been found, by tests, that a 2 in. diameter sprocket 30 driven at approximately 30 R.P.M. by motor 26, gives a satisfactory, smooth, rhythmic, gentle, undulating, soothing, restful massaging action to relax the nerves and muscles of the spinal area of the patient.

The lever 66 may be moved into the position indicated in full outline, FIG. 5, to cause a maximum tension on springs 62 to cause the throws of the crankshaft 64 to stretch the springs, which increases the tension thereon. To release the tension, the detent 68 is moved into the position as indicated in dashed outline, FIG. 5,

which will allow the lever 66 to move downward, thereby decreasing the tension on the springs 62.

I claim: I. A massaging machine which comprises; a. a horizontal, elongated, rigid, table-like supporting member, 1. said table-like supporting member having an elongated slot formed longitudinally therein, 2. at least one sheet of flexible material overlying said slot and being secured to the top of the table near each end of said slot,

b. a track-way supported a spaced distance below the horizontal surface of the table-like supporting member in which said slot is formed,

c. a wheeled carriage mounted on said trackway for guided, longitudinal movement therealong,

1. said wheels of said carriage having elastomer tires thereon,

d. a motor mounted on said trackway, near one end thereof, the shaft of which motor extends upwardly through said trackway,

e. a sprocket mounted on said motor shaft and being secured thereto,

f. an upright shaft mounted on said trackway near the opposite end thereof from said motor shaft,

g. a idler sprocket mounted on said upright shaft for rotation about the axis thereof,

11. an endless transmission chain extending around said sprocket on said motor shaft and said idler sprocket on said upright shaft,

. an elastomer faced roller mounted on a transverse, horizontal axis on said carriage and having a portion thereof normally extending upward through the slot in said table-like member above the upper surface thereof, in bearing relation with said sheet of flexible material covering said slot,

1. resilient means urging said roller upwardly,

j. connection means connecting said carriage to said endless chain to move said carriage back and forth longitudinally of said trackway,

k. said trackway being a channel member to receive the wheels of said wheeled carriage in guided relation therein,

1. said channel trackway having an outstanding flange on each side thereof,

m. bars secured to and extending laterally of said carriage and having the outer portions thereof extending downwardly, with a reentrant portion on the lower portion of each end said laterally extending bars, which reentrant portions extend below said trackway to stabilize said carriage.

2. A massaging machine as defined in claim 1;

wherein a. a roller mounting member is pivotally mounted on a transverse, horizontal axis on said carriage, near the upper side thereof, 1. said roller mounting member has an open throat to receive said roller for rotation therein sand for arcuate movement of said roller mounting member about the axis thereof,

2. said roller mounting member having a portion thereof extending downwardly from the pivot to form a lever,

b. a crank-like member mounted on said carriage a spaced distance outward from the lower end of said roller mounting member,

c. said resilient means being tension spring means biased between the lower portion of said roller mounting member and the crank of said crank-like member,

d. an adjustable lever secured to said crank-like member and extending at an angle with respect to the axis thereof,

1. detent means mounted on said carriage to engage said lever, when said lever is in one position, to hold said springs under tension to urge said roller upwardly against said sheet of flexible material, and

2. said lever, when in another position, adapted to be released to relieve at least a part of the tension from said springs, when disengaged from said detent means. 

1. A massaging machine which comprises; a. a horizontal, elongated, rigid, table-like supporting member,
 1. said table-like supporting member having an elongated slot formed longitudinally therein,
 2. at least one sheet of flexible material overlying said slot and being secured to the top of the table near each end of said slot, b. a track-way supported a spaced distance below the horizontal surface of the table-like supporting member in which said slot is formed, c. a wheeled carriage mounted on said trackway for guided, longitudinal movement therealong,
 1. said wheels of said carriage having elastomer tires thereon, d. a motor mounted on said trackway, near one end thereof, the shaft of which motor extends upwardly through said trackway, e. a sprocket mounted on said motor shaft and being secured thereto, f. an upright shaft mounted on said trackway near the opposite end thereof from said motor shaft, g. a idler sprocket mounted on said upright shaft for rotation about the axis thereof, h. an endless transmission chain extending around said sprocket on said motor shaft and said idler sprocket on said upright shaft, i. an elastomer faced roller mounted on a transverse, horizontal axis on said carriage and having a portion thereof normally extending upward through the slot in said table-like member above the upper surface thereof, in bearing relation with said sheet of flexible material covering said slot,
 1. resilient means urging said roller upwardly, j. connection means connecting said carriage to said endless chain to move said carriage back and forth longitudinally of said trackway, k. said trackway being a channel member to receive the wheels of said wheeled carriage in guided relation therein, l. said channel trackway having an outstanding flange on each side thereof, m. bars secured to and extending laterally of said carriage and having the outer portions thereof extending downwardly, with a reentrant portion on the lower portion of each end said laterally extending bars, which reentrant portions extend below said trackway to stabilize said carriage.
 2. said lever, when in another position, adapted to be released to relieve at least a part of the tension from said springs, when disengaged from said detent means.
 2. said roller mounting member having a portion thereof extending downwardly from the pivot to form a lever, b. a crank-like member mounted on said carriage a spaced distance outward from the lower end of said roller mounting member, c. said resilient means being tension spring means biased between the lower portion of said roller mounting member and the crank of said crank-like member, d. an adjustable lever secured to said crank-like member and extending at an angle with respect to the axis thereof,
 2. A massaging machine as defined in claim 1; wherein a. a roller mounting member is pivotally mounted on a transverse, horizontal axis on said carriage, near the upper side thereof,
 2. at least one sheet of flexible material overlying said slot and being secured to the top of the table near each end of said slot, b. a track-way supported a spaced distance below the horizontal surface of the table-like supporting member in which said slot is formed, c. a wheeled carriage mounted on said trackway for guided, longitudinal movement therealong, 